Effect of bedding materials on health parameters in Barbari kids during winter season

Abstract

Bedding material plays an integral role in winter housing of goat kids and present study was undertaken in experimental shed of Central Institute for Research on Goats to analyze the effect of different bedding materials during winter on the health of Barbari kids. Thirty post˗weaned Barbari kids were selected and divided into three groups viz. group I, II and III with ten kids in each group and were kept on plastic slats, soil and rubber mats, respectively. To assess the health, parasitic load i.e. Egg per gram (E.P.G.) and Oocyst per gram (O.P.G.) were determined at every 3 week interval and dirt scoring was done on a monthly basis. The incidence of diseases p were recorded by direct observation method daily. Blood samples were collected on 20th, 50th and 80th day of experimental trail and serum antioxidant activity (MDA and DPPH) was evaluated. The difference between EPG values of different groups was found to be non-significant. The OPG values were significantly (P